Kiipu

It is a 24th series and the 8th one reported to date. The observed 24th series range from ウ-20 to ウ-593. In addition, it is an army contract blade prior to the change in markings to 満鐵鍛造之. Above the 昭和壬午春 date, one can see the "M" partial inspection mark. One will also more than likely find a 東 stamped on the kabutogane.

This is the most recent tome on the topic and the author posts from time to time over at WRF and GBF. Rikusentai: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Japanese Naval Landing Forces 1927-1945

I found this one with the characters Yasukuni 靖国 just forward of the habaki. Reverse: 行宗 = Yukimune. Obverse: 昭和十八年一月 = January 1943. Kariya Yasukuni named sword ?

And another one that I ran into by accident over at SFI, it appears to be the plain version that I associate with Chinese use. Japanese samurai sword ???

I ran across this 伊奈波 made sword and found it interesting in regards to the construction details of the hilt. Note the use of black electrical tape? underneath the handle wrapping. One of the swords depicted above seems to have this same feature, noticeable in particular underneath the kabutogane. Type 97 Naval Kai-gunto

I found this Type 97 sword made by 伊奈波 interesting as it has a sideways facing anchor stamp and small 伊. Yet both are facing in different directions! Type 97 Naval Kai-gunto

I thought @george trotter, @Bazza, @mecox, & other forumites, would appreciate and enjoy reading this partial summary written by Nick about the book 軍刀組合始末: 陸軍受命刀匠の周辺. Rikugun Jumei Tosho (RJT) Star Stamped Blades - Documentation?, Post #45

A Type 95 with a gray/grey painted handle and black painted scabbard. It was made by Suya and is serial number 3422東. The steel crossguard and second mekugi would indicate a rework at some point after manufacture. Japanese Type 95 Army NCO Samurai Sword by Tokyo

Trystan, that reminds me that some of the early Type 95s had a gray, or for some grey, primer coat. @Stegel has mentioned this more than once and below is a link to one of his missives. Brass Scabbard NCO Copper Handle, Post #3

Rob, how about a picture of the scabbard mouth showing the serial number? Bruce will give you a big "Thanks" to add to your score unless of course he has exceeded his limit again! Below is a link to 47961 which is the next closest to the one above. Arsenal Stamps., Page 18

This seems to be a variant of the plain brass Chinese version; however, the menuki is of a different style than the others that are pictured on the various forums. The small differences that appear in these Chinese versions could indicate production from more than one location? The survival rate seems high and this would seem to indicate a decent amount of them were manufactured during the war. Several have direct connections to veterans that brought them back. Another unusual sword ww2 sword?, Post #18

Todd, the blade was made in 1943. 昭和十八年 = 1943.

It is a 10th ヌ series, serial number unreadable, and is dated Spring 1940 昭和庚辰春. This would make it the 7th known from this series.

I will take Ray one step further and provide a link to his blog post that the video is based upon. 5 Guidelines for the Beginning Collector of Japanese Swords And since I am looking at his website, I will provide the link to the articles written by the late Jim Kurrasch. Jim Kurrasch articles As a former editor and publisher once told me, it is better to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission!

Klaus, the nakago mune just has two 名 inspection marks, one is just larger than the other. Nothing to fret about.

Shigemitsu 繁光 delivered his blades to the Sasebo Naval District 佐世保鎮守府 so I doubt it relates to your statement above. This information is coming from the webpage that depicts his August 1945 dated blade that I linked to above.

As of 1937, Shigemitsu live in Fukuoka City 福岡市, Fukuoka Prefecture 福岡県. His full name is Suetsugu Shigemitsu 末次･繁光 and he and his 7 apprentices could turn out five blades per month. The use of Tsukushi 筑紫 above his signature can mean one of two things. 筑紫国 Tsukushi Province was an ancient province now located within Fukuoka Prefecture 福岡県. Tsukushi-no-shima 筑紫島 "Island of Tsukushi" is another name used in the past for Kyūshū 九州. I am inclined to think Tsukushi 筑紫 in this context is referring to the old province and not the island. Does anyone have any thoughts that differ from this interpretation? A link to one of his blades made in August 1945. 福岡住末次繁光作 昭和二十年八月日 @mecox Another one for the naval swords monograph. Looks like number 264? 博多刀匠　末次繁光

In regards to the oval stamp on the Shigemitsu blade, I have found another blade that seems to have this as part of the inscription. Now I am wondering what this is all about. signature on broken sword Plus another oval stamp that is duplicated below via @george trotter. Naval sword translation Smith Mei

Yep, that's him! I sure hope the Japanese designer is getting royalties. Yosemite Sam

As an aside, the removal of the markings and the fixing up of the sword are more than likely two different events. This stamp and date and/or mei removal has been seen before, sometimes done by the original owner, immediate family, or dealers, after the war.

Bruce, that is the only one I have recorded and it was reported by @Stephen back in 2006. I think this is an earlier Type 97 versus a later Type 97? The blade actually has two naval type markings on it. Obverse: Plain Anchor + mustache? logo + 筑紫末次繁光 [Tsukushi Suetsugu Shigemitsu]. Reverse: 海 = kai = maybe a shortened form of kaigun 海軍 [navy or naval]? Plus two more characters in an oval. Shigemitsu Thank goodness the moderator does not delete old posts! Just look at all the fun or trouble we have with them.

In addition, the reverse side of the tang has a marking removed above the mei. This was either a Seki 関 or Shō 昭 stamp. The paper speculates that the production date was 1941. @Bruce Pennington

1941 昭和辛巳 13th Series: ワ-6 to WA-238. 14th Series: カ-89 to KA-546. 15th Series: ヨ-11 to YO-352. 16th Series: タ-181 to TA-336. 17th Series: レ-6 to RE-476. 18th Series: ソ-66 to SO-654. 19th Series: ツ-198 to TSU-651. 20th Series: ネ-2 to NE-414. 21st Series: ナ-5 to NA-573. Subtotal: 4,200 yearly or 350 monthly. Comment: I arrived at the approximate yearly production by merely adding the high serial number for the 13th to 21st series together. I then divided by 12 to arrive at the monthly production. @Bruce Pennington Feel free to correct and/or update any of the lows or highs.

Thanks for the update and I stand corrected. The entries of interest are to the right of 兼賀 and thus apply to a different swordsmith. Back to square one as to the swordsmith and his era.

Out of curiosity, is the crossguard [tsuba] made of brass? If so, how would they go about darkening it?